"Like the Poet Laureate, the Science Laureate would be an unpaid, honorary post," according to the statement. The laureate would serve a 1- or 2-year term, and "would also be encouraged to continue their important scientific work." Nominees would be vetted by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

"The U.S. Science Laureate will be a national role model who can encourage students to learn more about the sciences," Hirono said in the statement. "By elevating great American scientific communicators, we can empower students - especially girls and minorities - to get excited about science."

Science organizations, including AAAS, the publisher of ScienceInsider, are backing the proposal. Having bipartisan authors "speaks volumes about the importance of [science, technology, engineering and math education] to our nation's future," James Brown, executive director of the STEM Education Coalition, said in the statement.